If you are
interested in joining, and are of good moral character and between the
ages of 14-20, please pick up an application today at the Lancaster
Police Department, 405 E Arch St., Lancaster or download anapplication.

Prerequisite

Applicants must have completed the eighth grade
and are 14 years of age, or are 15 years of age but have not yet reached
their 21st birthday.

Participants must have parental consent to
participate and a written waiver of liability must be executed prior to
participating in the ride along program.

Each potential participant must undergo a
background check to determine that the individual is not morally
depraved or has not been convicted of a serious crime. This includes a
check of school disciplinary records.

A scholastic standard requiring a minimum grade of
a “C” average for entry and continuance.

If the Explorer receives any traffic or criminal
citations, they may be dismissed from the post based upon the
seriousness of the offense and at the discretion of the Chief of Police
and/or Post Advisors

Each applicant MUST successfully complete class
room training and receive a passing grade on three tests.

Members of our well-established Explorer Post receive training that is
not available outside of a police department. They are trained in
much the same manner as the police officers you see on the street and
television. They see how police officers really function from the
best viewpoint possible, right beside them.

After
receiving classroom and practical hands-on training, they are issued
uniforms and are allowed the opportunity to ride on patrol with police
officers and observe investigations. They get to see the
increasing technology used in law-enforcement today. This ranges
from the video systems in patrol cars to the department’s computerized
report writing and booking system.

Our
explorers are eligible, through training and experience, for promotions
to higher rank. They receive instructions and hands-on experience
in management and supervision. This is an opportunity not provided
to many people their age. With the right motivation and attitude
they may eventually become Captain of the program, a position held by
only a few former members.

As
a member, they join a close-knit brotherhood that spans from within the
police department to police agencies around the world. They are
part of the bond that keeps all police officers close to one another.
They obtain a better understanding than most people do of events that
you read about in the newspaper or see on television. They are one
of the select few who wear a badge and they do it with honor and pride.
They set a higher standard for themselves, as well as those around
them.

During the training, the explorers
compete to earn the Chief L.L. Lower Award. This award is given to
the explorer that achieves the highest overall grade score during basic
training. This is a prestigious award that is given to only one
Explorer per class. Each year, one explorer is awarded the PFC
John E Stratford, Jr. Memorial Explorer of the Year Award. College
Scholarships are also available through the Boy Scouts of America.

Two explorers are selected each
summer to attend the state’s Nathan M. Wolfe Cadet Academy. This
is a full week of training and seminars held at the state’s Criminal
Justice Academy, where police officers complete basic training and
receive advanced instruction. During this week, they meet
explorers and officers from various agencies. They see many
different career opportunities in many different fields.

Their Rank Structure

Captain

1st Lieutenant

2nd Lieutenant

Sergeant

No Insignia

Corporal

Lance Corporal

Private 1st Class

Private

The Explorer Post is supervised by
a Explorer Captain and the Captain is assisted by a 1st Lieutenant.
The Explorer Captain answers directly to the Advisors. The rest of
the program is divided into two squads. The two Squads
are referred to as Adam Squad and Baker Squad and are supervised by
their own 2nd Lieutenant. The 2nd Lieutenants answer directly to
the 1st Lieutenant. The two 2nd Lieutenants, the 1st
Lieutenant and the Captain make up the Explorer Post Command Staff.

In addition to the 2nd Lieutenant,
each Squad consists of a Sergeant, a Corporal, a Lance Corporal, and
three Private First Class. Traditionally, the candidate that
scores the highest on their tests is appointed as the Lance Corporal.

The Explorers wear their rank on
their collar only. The insignia that is worn is silver (with the
exception of 2nd Lieutenant and it is gold) and is identical to that
displayed above. Explorers with the rank of corporal and higher
have their rank listed on their badge as well.

"Rank
does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility."
Louis Armstrong